Policy Advisory Committee .IE namespace 27 April 2017

Policies in the .IE namespace Proposals to PAC Policy change submission 27 April 2017

Agenda Introduction & background Proposal Benefits and Drivers Policy development process Q&A

Introduction & Background In order to register a new .ie domain (nReg) currently you must satisfy two policy requirements: Connection to Ireland - ”real and substantive connection” of Registrant Claim to the Name - ”proven claim to the name applied for”

Introduction & Background The principles of the Managed Registry concept: Claim was designed to prevent the anti-social practices of American cybersquatters and domainers No need for multiple and/or defensive registrations Help to ensure that “good names” were used Effort to stop the practice of people registering names which will not be used, in the near future.

Introduction & Background Our USP - dot ie domains are: Identifiably Irish - the only online space reserved for Irish people & businesses Trusted through traceability - we’ve checked-out who is behind the website Registrants - documented and verified by IEDR We can provide assistance to regulatory bodies (IMB / ODCE), Law Enforcement etc.

Introduction & Background What has changed? Renewed emphasis on developing and growing the national resource / allowing Irish business to have the names they want People want to have the names they need - but they cannot provide sufficient evidence of a claim to IEDR e.g. Mick / Mick’s blog / Mick’s corner shop Registries are no longer be responsible for brand protection, via the restriction of applications. Brand managers are making those decisions, esp with 1,200 nTLDs

Our proposal Drop the requirement to have, and prove, a claim to the name Applicants with a proven real and substantive connection to Ireland will be able to register any name they want. Current safeguards to protect citizens and the reputation of the dot ie namespace will continue General registration rules will continue Dispute resolution policy will continue (WIPO adjudication)

The benefits More deterministic registration process (removing subjective ‘claim’ judgements)  Easier and faster registration process Improved customer experience (CX) for Registrars, resellers and registrants Dilute the perception of dot ie as ‘hard to get’   Better potential for repeat business from satisfied customers Increased sales and registrations (as dropped tickets are reduced)

Drivers - Customers Customer expectations have shifted (instant service and gratification are default expectations) Customer demand has shifted (60% of nReg are in the Discretionary Category) nReg abandoned because no claim has been submitted within 27 days Perception that dot ie is hard to get Some lost sales - almost 10% p.m. Disappointed rejected applicants Disgruntled registrants

Drivers - the namespace To develop and expand the dot ie brand while growing the namespace as a national resource and address issues such as: Remaining perception that .ie is hard to get Potential lost sales Disappointed rejected applicants To promote Internet usage and uptake by citizens, community groups and micro-businesses You can now get any name you need for your business, your residents association, local group

Drivers – IEDR and Registrars To address administration problems & compliance issues:- Claim evidence is not deterministic (judgement & opinion involved – throughout the channel) Baseline PPPRG has exposed 7 pages of Guidelines for nReg Remove differential treatment of existing businesses v’s future businesses/blogs/events etc. Where no provable claims exist (in the form of evidence) we accept statements (not documents). But, businesses with copious documents, are being forced to jump through hoops. We can, and should, rely on other Agencies’ authentication and verification (especially anti-money laundering (AML) checks by banks, estate agents, etc.)

Drivers - Policy We can update the public policy basis for operating the Managed Registry:- The claim element of the policy, is no longer contributing to the USP of .ie The proposed policy shift reflects current international best practices (a move away from prevention and to a focus on take-down / mitigation / exception-handling) Other policy instruments can deal with problematic registrations (e.g. DRP, with WIPO, Whois Policy and AUP)  Co-operation with law enforcement has matured in recent years (previously a court order was required to deal with issues)

Policy Development Process (PDP) How will it work? Policy change request Template submitted to PAC on 27 April 2017 10-step PDP Working group edit the PPPRG & identify implementation issues) Public consultation Awareness programme Marketing and promotion of the policy change  Sufficient notice period

Questions & Answers